A glimpse of Alaska Bush life

Nov. 10, 2006

By Michael Rovito

Frontiersman

Living in the Alaska Bush has challenged adventurous souls for more than 100 years. Ever since gold was found in the frozen land beyond Anchorage, hardy men from the Lower 48 have left behind their old lives for a chance to brave everything the Last Frontier has to throw at them.

But a new book, &#8220Midnight Daylight” by Palmer resident Raven Wi', gives readers a different glimpse into that life, this time from a woman's perspective, in a tale filled with new beginnings, new friends and a new way of life to forget an old way.

Wi' begins her journey as so many Alaskans have in the past, with a long trip up the Alaska Highway, through the Yukon Territory and into a state that tourists spend millions of dollars a year to visit. Her descriptions of the trip will bring back vividly painted memories to anyone who has made the drive, its long hours and sleepless nights brought back to memory in &#8220Midnight Daylight's” detailed writing.

&#8220I love to write,” Wi' said during a recent interview. &#8220It just sounded like there was some things that people would enjoy hearing or would be amazed about.”

This isn't Wi's first project, the seasoned writer has a children's series, &#8220Inky the Raven,” about the real-life adventures of her mother's pet raven.

The idea for &#8220Midnight Daylight” first came to Wi' three or four years ago, she said. Since that time, the story has undergone changes and revisions as Wi', who calls herself a perfectionist, tailored the tale into its present form.

In the book, Wi' uses a flashback method that serves to support the present-day scene with memories of the past. The juxtaposition lets the story flow without boring the reader with too much background information, adding just the right amount of clarification to understand where she is coming from.

Authors like Jack London brought the trials and tribulations of Alaska to readers from Outside by writing about learning experiences while on his own in the wild. Wi' also does this, adding a bit of humor and self deprecating jest when writing about the life-and-death experiences of a greenhorn from Portland, Ore., in the Bush outside Fairbanks.

Her story also is filled with emotion, detailing relationships with her mother, son, friends and ex-husband.

&#8220There was a lot of healing that took place as I was writing,” Wi' said. &#8220I think a lot of writers experience that.”

Alaskans hardened with years of experience living in the remote areas of the state should be able to relate to Wi' and her first days spent in 60-below weather. The relationship Wi' has with her Labrador retriever, Echo, also embodies the Alaska spirit of the hardy canine companions that have kept so many Bush dwellers company during long, dark winter months.

All those traits of Alaska life will be read across the globe in Wi's book. A waiting list has readers from as far away as the United Kingdom in line to experience her version of Bush life. Knowing her book would reach readers outside Alaska, Wi' said she tried to include enough factual detail in &#8220Midnight Daylight,” so someone who has never been to the state would get an idea of what life here is like.

&#8220I wanted some history for the average reader to say ‘Wow, I didn't know that,'” Wi' said.

The former publisher of her own magazine, &#8220Raven's Reflections, Nourishment for the Body, Mind and Spirit,” Wi' is a graphic design artist who received honors in creative journalism while at college. Future projects include another book in the &#8220Inky the Raven” series and a book geared toward adults, titled &#8220In Search of Silver,” which will be written, Wi' said, because she is an avid fisherwoman.

Wi's love for Alaska and the written word has become a convenient combination for her writing career.

&#8220I'm aiming for something entertaining, something amazing,” she said. &#8220Something that will teach people something about this great state.”

Contact Michael Rovito at 352-2252 or michael.rovito@frontiersman.com.